New beef research facility - Representatives from the University of Guelph, Beef Farmers of Ontario and provincial and federal governments broke ground on a new $15.5 million beef research facility in Elora on July 6. The new research facility will replace the building at the Elora Research Station that was built in 1969. The new building is expected to open at the end of 2018. From left: U of G’s vice president (external) Daniel Atlin, Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario chair Stewart Cressman, Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal, Beef Farmers of Ontario president Joe Hill and U of G’s vice president of research Malcolm Campbell. Photo by Olivia Rutt

U of G to build new beef research facility in Elora

by Olivia Rutt

ELORA - A new $15.5 million beef research facility is being built by the University of Guelph near Elora.

Representatives from the university along with Beef Farmers of Ontario and the provincial and federal governments broke ground at the site of the future facility on July 6.

The new Livestock Research and Innovation Centre - Beef Facility will replace the beef facilities at the Elora Research Station that were built in 1969. The work is expected to be complete by the end of 2018. The facility is down the road from the university’s new dairy research facility that opened in June 2015.

Malcolm Campbell, U of G’s vice president of research, thanked both the federal and provincial governments for their contribution. The facility is a joint partnership between the university, the province, Agriculture Research Institute of Ontario, Beef Farmers of Ontario and the federal government.

Jeff Leal, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced the provincial government will invest $12.4 million into building the new facility.

“The new research centre will be a wonderful catalyst for growth in Ontario’s agri-food sector, strengthening our competitiveness both domestically and internationally, creating jobs and playing an important role in transferring knowledge to our producers ensuring success,” he said.

The centre will be used to enhance genetic profiling of cow herds and improve feed efficiency. It will also allow researchers to improve best practices for efficient and sustainable beef production.

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